El Niño Causes Over P100 Million in Agricultural Losses in the Philippines
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Wednesday that the El Niño phenomenon has resulted in agricultural damages and losses surpassing PHP109.44 million.
According to Philippines news Agency, this figure was detailed in its second El Niño advisory, highlighting the significant impact on the agricultural sector. The losses affected the reproductive stages of rice cultivation, impacting 2,602 farmers across 2,177 hectares of rice fields, with assessments conducted by the regional field offices in Western Visayas and the Zamboanga Peninsula indicating a production shortfall of 4,738 metric tons of rice.
The DA-DRRM, in response to the ongoing crisis, has been actively disseminating advisories and agro-meteorological information to municipal and city agriculturists and report officers through social media platforms such as Facebook and Messenger. This initiative is part of the broader effort to monitor weather conditions and the actual situation on the ground closely. The department had previously warned of a strong and mature El Niño event, forecasting its continuation through January-February 2024 and potentially persisting into the March-April-May 2024 season, based on projections from the majority of global climate models. A transition to ENSO-neutral conditions, where neither El Niño nor La Niña prevails, is anticipated by the April-May-June 2024 season.
In preparation for the adverse effects of El Niño, the DA has been undertaking comprehensive measures, including the validation of vulnerable areas and the identification of necessary interventions for affected farmers. The department is consolidating and analyzing critical data such as planting and harvesting schedules, the source and status of irrigation systems, and advising on crop management practices suited to the challenging conditions. Recommendations include adjusting planting schedules and optimizing fertilizer use to mitigate the impact of El Niño.
Moreover, the DA has been promoting the adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties and conducting joint area assessments in anticipation of cloud-seeding operations to alleviate the effects of drought. In regards to the status of dams as of January 30, 2024, the report notes that the Reservoir Water Level (RWL) of Angat Dam is at 211.40 meters, above its rule curve elevation, suggesting some resilience in water storage. However, other dams, including San Roque, Pantabangan, and Magat, are reported to be below their rule curve elevations, highlighting the broader water management challenges faced during this El Niño event.